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Nepal: Saarc handicrafts expo, trade fair from Nov 20

Federation of Handicrafts Association Nepal (FHAN) is organising the Saarc Handicrafts Exhibition and 12th Handicraft Trade Fair from November 20 in Bhrikutimandap,Kathmandu .

The five-day event is taking place alongside the 18th Saarc Summit scheduled to be held in Kathmandu from November 22.

Being under the theme of “Handicraft Our Product: Our Pride”, the expo will host 203 stalls, including 40 stalls from other SAARC countries. In a press meet here on Thursday, the organisers said that 95 percent of the stalls have been booked.

“SAARC countries have been organising the trade fair every year, and Nepal is going to host this year’s event,” said FHAN President Hem Ratna Shakya.

He said the fair would be a platform for promoting domestic handicrafts in South Asian markets. “Various business delegates will be coming from countries like China, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, that could benefit Nepali handicraft exporters,” said Shakya.

Trade and Export Promotion Centre (TEPC) Executive Director Ishwori Prasad Ghimire said handicrafts could play an important in role in minimising trade deficit if the products are branded and promoted properly. “In terms of investment and time flexibility, the handicrafts industry is very suitable for the a country like Nepal,” he said.

According to FHAN, 1.1 million people are directly/indirectly involved in the Nepali handicrafts industry, which is estimated to be worth Rs 13 billion. FHAN data show handicraft exports rose 15 percent last year to Rs 5.03 billion.

Besides regular exhibition of products, the event will also see a silver jewellery fashion Show, art and craft competition, and workshop on designing handicrafts, and business expansion.

Nepal Trade Integration Strategy, a project under the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies, Ministry of Industry and Saarc Cultural Centre Sri Lanka are the co-organisers of the event.

The organisers have expected 300,000 footfalls, and Rs 100 million transaction during the expo.